UCLA Vs ASU: The #11 Bruins Wreck #15 Arizona State 62-27

The UCLA Bruins went into the heat of Tempe, Arizona and served their revenge cold in the form of a 62- 27 beating of Arizona State. The Sun Devils took one from the Bruins last year, which helped ASU clinch the South Division. With this being the first game on the Pac-12 schedule, UCLA was looking to make a statement early. They were also looking to see how UCLA performed with quarterback Brett Hundley back in the mix. Needless to say, UCLA Vs ASU was epic… at least it was for the Bruins.

Arizona State struck first with a field goal to take th early lead. On Hundley’s first play, he threw a screen pass that got broken up behind scrimmage. On the next play, UCLA set up in a formation that confused ASU and called a timeout. That was a good sign and a theme for the Bruins all night. UCLA got a 1st down on the next play, but also had 4 penalties that killed their drive. The question if Hundley could play was answered. He could, but the rest of the team could not stop making penalties.

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On ASU’s next series, Eddie Vanderdoes stripped ASU RB D.J. Foster in their first drive and Bruins recovered the fumble. On the following Bruin series, Hundley continued to look good, but his O-line continued to not. UCLA allowed a sacked on a crucial 3rd and 8 in the red zone and forced a FG attempt. Kicker Kai’mi Fairbairn tied it up, UCLA 3 – ASU 3.

On the next ASU drive, QB Mike Bercovici hit two crucial passes to set up the Sun Devil’s in the red zone. He connected with Kody Kohl for the 5-yard touchdown and like that, the Sun Devils had control, UCLA 3 – ASU 10. But on the next UCLA possession the Bruins kept striking, but settled for another field goal. UCLA 6 – ASU 10.

To start the 2nd period, Bercovici ran for a first on 3rd and inches, then threw a 29-yard TD to Cameron Smith and the Sun Devils were then bullying their way to a lead. It was UCLA 6 – ASU 17. Things were not going UCLA’s way, but managed to improve on the next drive. On the second play of said drive, Eldridge Massington caught the ball just past the line of scrimmage and after bouncing off a couple defenders, went 80 yards to put the Bruins right back in the game. UCLA 13 – ASU 17.

Sep 25, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Anthony Jefferson (23) intercepts a pass intended for Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jaelen Strong (21) during the first half at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

ASU had kept pushing on their next possession, but UCLA’s Anthony Jefferson intercepted the ball with his back to the QB for a crucial interception that put out the Sun Devil’s fire.

The drama got real thick just before the end of the half as ASU burned their last timeout with 3:31 left. After marching down the field, Myles Jack came in as a decoy in the power formation, only to have Hundley roll to his right who found Nate Iese for the score. UCLA 20 – ASU 17.

ASU had pushed the Bruins back to their own 10-yard line within the last 2 minutes of the half. UCLA attacked again as Ishmael Adams had intercepted the ball at the 5-yard line to return it for a 95-yard touchdown. The Bruins were very much in charge going into the break, UCLA 27 – ASU 17.

After halftime, on the first play, Hundley sent a pass downfield to Payton, who was the victim of a hold, but managed to get up and catch the well-placed Hundley pass and pin-balled off a few ASU defenders for a 80-yard TD. It was now UCLA 34 – ASU 17.

ASU battled back but not through their screens. Eric Kendricks spotted several of those specific offensive plays and got in the back field to bust them up time and again. The Sun Devils did have several great down field passes that kept their drive alive, but only managed to put up 3 more points with a field goal to make it UCLA 34 – ASU 20.

On the ensuing kick off, Adams struck again as he dodged the kicking team and found light through the left side of the field to take it to the house and put six more points on the board. It was UCLA 41 -ASU 20. This is not a joke.

ASU kept battling back, but UCLA was just to tough for them. Deon Hollins came up big for the Bruins as he stripped Bercovici from behind to cause a fumble which UCLA recovered. As the Bruins got it back, Hundley ran 22 yards to the 1-yard line followed by Nate Starks pounding it in on the second play for the score. UCLA 48 – ASU 20.

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ASU finally got on the board again when the passing game took advantage of the Bruin secondary. Bercovici hooked up with Ellis Jefferson in the back corner of the end zone for the TD. UCLA 48 – ASU 27.

UCLA had another impressive drive that started with Jordan Payton catching a ball by the sideline and was not able to be taken down by the ASU defense. Payton tight-roped the sideline 52 yards to get the Bruins in the red zone once again. Payton then finished up the drive with a 4-yard TD catch. The scoring did not stop as the Burins went up again, UCLA 55 – ASU 27.

ASU had continued to fight back and even needed a video review to verify a potential touchdown, but the Sun Devils were denied and on the next play, tried to run it in the one yard for the score, but got pushed back another five by the Bruin defense. The Bruins then came back and scored again to make it UCLA 62- ASU 27 and that is how it ended.

If the Bruins were looking for a satisfying win, they got it as they took down the #15 team in stunning fashion. Hundley finished the game with 355 passing yards and three touchdowns through the air while going 72 yards on the ground with 1 TD. And let us not forget Adams who had 201 total return yards with 1 TD and a 95-yard pick six. He definitely get sour vote for MVP of the game.

This seems to be the victory Bruin fans were waiting for and rightfully so, because this feels good. Really good.